The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM) and Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) have merged, claiming to become one voice for the millions of Mohajirs living in Pakistan’s biggest city. Farooq Sattar announced the momentous decision in a news conference on Wednesday.
Sources have also confirmed that both sides have decided to contest next general elections from a single platform “to prevent Karachi’s mandate from being split.”
The news came as a surprise to many as both the breakaway factions of MQM have criticized each other until recently. This also must have come as a thunderbolt for the MQM supremo Altaf Husain, whose party has virtually been cut to size, resulting in durable peace and security in a city that was a scene of regular violence, strikes, and mayhem before the Rangers and law enforcement agencies cracked down on the party two years ago.
While the merger of the two large political entities is a good step forward for the peace, development and prosperity of Karachi, one has to see if they are able to shed the perception of violence and bullet generally associated with the MQM and emerge as a party that works for the overall well-being of the millions living there.
